10 Ways to Save Money and Go Green

Updated on January 31, 2013

Save Green and Go Green!

Save money and go green

A Tank less water heater

Bottled Water

Buy local fruits and vegetables

10 Ways to Save Money and Go Green

I put this list together just as some advice on ways you can both save money, and be a good steward of the earth. I think it is always good to save money when possible, and when you can also be a good steward, even better. I hope you can use some of the tips here and save some money. Post your thoughts, and any other tips you might have, in the comments area.

1. Buy a Tank-less Water Heater – A Tank-less water heater is a very small and compact water heater that only heats water when you need it. It eliminates waste by heating water only when you turn on the hot water. You might think that you will then have to wait for a while to get hot water but that’s not the case. Because of its small size, it can heat water very quickly.

A few years ago, the water heater at my house stopped working. I decided to go with the tank less water heater for three reasons.

3 Reasons to use a Tank-less Water Heater:

Initial Cost - The initial cost of buying a regular water heater compared to a tank less water heater was in favor of the tank less heater. It was cheaper to buy and install compared to a normal water heater.

Size - One of the best qualities of a tank-less heater is its size. Compared to a normal water heater, the tank less heater is significantly smaller, making it possible to install on the wall or almost anywhere.

Long term Cost - The long term cost of a tank less water heater is less than that of a regular heater because it does not keep water heated, it only heats water when it is needed. This makes it easy to be gone on short or long trips and not need to worry about the hot water heater wasting energy.

Tank-less water heaters are a great money saving appliance but it is important to check with local codes and standards before changing to a tankless.

2. Buy your fruits and vegetables from local producers – as much as possible, try to buy all your fruits and vegetables from local farmers and markets. You will be supporting your community and eliminating emissions that come from the transportation of imported fruits and vegetables. Plus, you will probably be getting much better produce that is fresher and has less unnatural substances on it.

3. Use Tupperware – instead of buying and using and throwing away disposable bags and containers, use a Tupperware container to store food. You can save a good deal of money after your initial investment and, of course, you will be helping to keep our planet green by not using plastic disposable products.

4. Bring grocery bags with you when you shop – this is a simple, yet very effective way to keep our earth a bit greener. You don’t really benefit, unless they charge for bags, but still you save countless plastic bags by using your own reusable one.

5. Adjust the temperature in your house – I know that this might mean a little discomfort, but try turning up (or down) your air conditioning so that it does not turn on as much. You can use fans to help move air around your house. Also, turn your fridge temperature up a bit so it does not have to turn on so much. The benefits pretty obvious on this one; you save money on your utility bill and consume less energy.

6. Let food cool down to room temperature before putting it in the fridge/freezer – it’s a pretty simple idea. If you cook hot food, wait until it cools before putting it in your fridge or freezer so you don’t waste energy cooling it down.

7. Recycle – recycle as much stuff as you can. This means cans, bottles, paper, cardboard, and even clothes, furniture and anything else you can think of. Consider selling or giving your old stuff to a thrift store or goodwill. Also, in some states you can get money back for cans and bottles so look into places that offer that. There are a number of ways to recycle and even to earn some money back.

8. Start a compost pile – use your food scrapes to make rich fertilizer for you flowers and gardens. Now you can both eliminate some trash from going into landfills and use your own homegrown fertilizer. This is a great way to keep the earth green and save a little money.

9. Buy from green companies – whenever possible, try to buy the things you need from companies that are trying to go green. Show your support by buying their products. If consumers were all to start buying from environmentally minded companies, every company would have to star going green or go out of business.

10. Don’t buy bottled water – Instead of buying water, get a reusable container and fill it up at home. If you don’t like the tap water, consider buying a filter for it. By not buying bottled water, you will both save lots of money, and save lots of wasted plastic.

These are just 10 easy ways to save green and go green. leave more ideas in the comments below.

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Post your comments here! 18 comments

Being a good steward of God's resources is a good thing. God wants us to use our resources wisely. God hates waste. You can call it going green if you want. I still have trouble with the global warming scare. I think that there are cyclical fluctuations in temperature that are natural. I think the trend now is down from all I've read. The icecap is thickening as well. Good article my friend.

internpete 7 years ago from At the Beach in Florida Author

No Body - Yes, i totally agree, both that we should be good stewards of the earth, and that global warming is mostly just a big scare. I agree with you that the earth does go through cycles and i did a fair amount of research that brought me to that opinion a year back or so. Thanks for stopping by and God Bless.

thefount 7 years ago from North Central Louisiana

I'm with both of y'all! Especially the part about eliminating waste, being a better steward and not being swayed to and fro with every wind of man's doctrine.

This hub has some great suggestions. I've been considering the tankless water heater idea too. How do they compare price-wise?

internpete 7 years ago from At the Beach in Florida Author

Thefount - thanks for stopping by!

As far as the tank less water heaters, I am not sure how they compare price-wise in the states, I live in japan, where they are the norm and everyone uses them so they are really good and very affordable. however, they are somewhat new in America so i am not sure how good they are or how cost effective. The one i have though works great, and saves me money!

bingskee 7 years ago from Quezon City, Philippines

simple tips that matter.

here in the Philippines, one of the malls started to promote the use of a green bag to spread the 'go green' concept. it's a nice move, i think, to make people be aware of the need to go green.

tony0724 7 years ago from san diego calif

Lots of good tips here Pete . I already have a tankless . And like you I support the companies that really make an effort to be environmentally friendly . Thx for posting !

mynameisnotpaul 6 years ago from Kentuckeh'

Great tips! I've been trying to go a little green, myself. I will definitely try some of these in the near future, thanks!

internpete 6 years ago from At the Beach in Florida Author

glad to help!

PegCole17 4 years ago from Dallas, Texas

I like all these ideas for saving money and going green in particular, the one about not using bottled water. Until I started recycling the used plastic bottles from milk, juice, colas, water and packaging I had no idea how much plastic was going into the trash.

I also like to support my local growers for the reasons you've listed. It's just good business for everyone.

These are great suggestions!

Robert Erich 4 years ago from California

Some great points! I have always thought purchasing bottled water was ridiculous for the environment and your wallet.

Voted up and shared!

internpete 4 years ago from At the Beach in Florida Author

Robert, thanks for commenting and sharing!

jacqui 4 years ago

Good tips, thanks for the info. I avoid bottle water at all costs!

internpete 4 years ago from At the Beach in Florida Author

Yep, bottled water can be easily avoided with a little planning! thanks for the comment

precy anza 4 years ago from San Diego

Great tips internpete! :) We rarely buy bottle water as we have a filter. And yes ti saves money, and with those few bottles we have, I reused it by filling it up with the filtered water or I put soda or juice in it ^.^' Voted up!

internpete 4 years ago from At the Beach in Florida Author

Precy Anza - Thanks for commenting and reading! That is a great idea reusing bottles and refilling them.

cam8510 4 years ago from Columbus, Georgia until the end of November 2016.

Thanks for the tips on the tank-less water heater. I have thought about this before and you have done a good job reminding me. Good hub.